You know when you walk into a festival and see an entire tent that’s devoted to “Real Ale” that you’re in for a good time. The Great Taste of the Midwest is held annually in Madison, WI. It’s put on by the Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild, the local homebrew club. The festival is the second longest running beer festival in the US and it’s now in it’s 22nd year. Over 100 Brewers attended from all over the Midwest bringing over 400 different beers to sample.

This was by far the most fun beer festival I’ve ever attended. The people, the setting, the brewers, and the weather just added up to be an almost perfect beer experience. I think Drew Huerter put it best when he said to me, “You know those Miller Lite beer heaven commercials? They’ve got it all wrong, this is beer heaven.” I’m posting about 70 photos that will hopefully help to help to explain just how awesome this event is. Also, if you’re interested in the beers available at the event, here’s the PDF of the official program.

I just want to thank Stephen and Sara Hale and the St. Louis Brewery for allowing me to tag a long and expose me to such a fantastic event. Now on to the photos:

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For you lucky people who may be attending the Great Taste of the Midwest this Saturday in Madison, Wisconsin, Sales Manager Derrick Bean has put on an event just for you:

Just wanted to let you all know, for those of you heading up to Madison this weekend for The Great Taste of the Midwest Beer Festival, our local distributor has set up an O’Fallon bar promotion on Friday, August 8 from 6:30-8:30 at The Missouri Tavern in Waunakee, Wisconsin (about a 20 minute drive northwest from the festival site)! We can enjoy $2.75 bottles of Wheach, and possibly other O’Fallon beers as well while we’re there.

And, since this is a 20 minute drive from Madison, please make arrangements for a sober driver if you are attending.

For those of you in Madison this weekend and are interested in attending the address is 7071 Kickaboo Rd. (Hwy. 12) in Waunakee, WI.  Sounds like a lot of fun.